Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

December 21, 2005

  Rowan County dodged the bullet a few weeks ago with the icy weather; however other counties in the Piedmont were not so fortunate. It’s only a matter of time before icy weather returns to our area.                                            Often, tree and shrubs are heavily damaged or completely destroyed by heavy ice. However, with enough notice from weather forecasts, smaller trees and shrubs can be protected from heavy ice damage.                        Wrapping branches of small trees and shrubs together prevents splitting of limbs and branches. Bailing twine or string tied to the braches holds limbs together preventing limb breakage. Wrapped trees or shrubs should look similar to wrapped Christmas trees as they arrive on a lot. Burlap can also be used as wrap around the plant. Secure the burlap with twine or rope. Innovative gardeners in the Northern regions experiencing consistent snow and ice use black plastic garden netting used to keep birds out of small fruit crops as a wrap for their plants.                                                  Ice storms spare few trees and shrubs from damage and eliminate many tree hazards such as weak crotch angles and excessive end weights. Many pose a hazard before bad weather occurs. Homeowners should carefully evaluate large trees and eliminate hazardous situations. Below are typical situations in a landscape.  

• Any tree that has been root sprung or is unnaturally leaning from the ground up should be considered hazardous. 
• Soil cracks or heaving is a clue that the roots can no longer be trusted to hold the tree.  
• Any large tree with an injury covering more than 30% of the circumference of the trunk can create a hazardous situation as it decays. An injury that goes several feet up the outside of a tree trunk can lead to a weak tree.  However, a tree can become 70% hollow and still retain 80% of its strength as long as the decay isn't exposed to the outside.
• It is important to note that landscape trees should be removed when they become hazardous, which is sometimes years before they die. 
• Be proactive and remove trees that pose a hazard, especially those near dwellings or other structures.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu